Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, recalled how he sacked his daughter from his farm for arriving late to work.
According to Obasanjo, the action had a profound effect on all his employees, who questioned, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
The former president made this disclosure while hosting the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo advised Israel to brace for the challenges ahead and be prepared to step on toes when necessary for a successful tenure.
He said, “No leader of note I have ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”
Dr Israel was accompanied by the FMC Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.
According to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr Segun Orisajo, Obasanjo further stated, “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.
“Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at the University of Ibadan studying Veterinary Medicine, was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during her long vacation.
“On her first day, she resumed at a quarter past seven in the morning instead of the usual seven o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she had an obligation to be a good example to other workers. I told her I would not hesitate to wield the big stick if she repeated the offence.
“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.
“Not surprisingly, this had a strong effect on all my employees, who said, ‘If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?’”
Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel, described Obasanjo as an international figure full of wisdom and wit.
“Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable,” Israel said.
